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The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1) visit the Houston Cougars (2-3) on Thursday. Kick from TDECU Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the West Virginia vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
West Virginia took down TCU 24-21 last week to cover as a 14-point road underdog. While QB Garrett Greene struggled through the air with a 10-of-21 performance for 142 yards, he rushed the ball 12 times for 80 yards and 2 TDs. RB CJ Donaldson Jr. also tacked 61 yards on 22 carries and a TD.
Houston fell 49-28 last week to Texas Tech, failing to cover as an 8.5-point road underdog. QB Donovan Smith played well, going 30 of 41 for 335 yards and 4 TDs with his top target being WR Samuel Brown with 10 receptions for 113 yards and a TD. The Cougars struggled on special teams giving up a 100-yard kick return TD and a blocked punt which led to a Texas Tech score as well.
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West Virginia at Houston odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): West Virginia -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Houston +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): West Virginia -3 (-110) | Houston +3 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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West Virginia at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
West Virginia 31, Houston 27
Moneyline
PASS.
While West Virginia is expected to win this game, coming off a massive win against TCU, there is more money to be made betting the spread.
Against the spread
BET WEST VIRGINIA -3 (-110).
West Virginia has found its groove in the past 2 weeks, knocking off TCU as a 14-point road underdog and knocking off Texas Tech as a 7-point home underdog. The Cougars played well last week, with Smith playing great under center, but they have lost to both TCU and Texas Tech in the previous 3 weeks by 23 points and 21 points respectively. With the Mountaineers on a hot streak, it would be a difficult decision to fade them. They are also 4-1 ATS this season.
Over/Under
BET OVER 51.5 (-110).
Expect this game to be an offensive battle. Both teams have displayed their offensive abilities in the past few weeks with West Virginia putting up 24 and 20 points, respectively, against top defenses and Houston scoring 28 and 38 points, respectively, in its past 2 performances. Both defenses have also had their struggles recently with the Mountaineers allowing 21 points last week and the Cougars allowing 49 points last week.
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